Quite unpleasant and even dangerous is a disease such as bronchial asthma, which requires the strictest control from a patient with it. Asthma is classified as an infectious-allergic disease, it is characterized by bronchospasm. Bronchospasm is an unexpected contraction of the muscles of the bronchial wall, which is accompanied by a narrowing of the bronchi, which, in turn, leads to poor lung ventilation. As a result, there is an attack of suffocation, panic.
To ease the patient’s condition, as well as to prevent an attack of bronchospasm, the drug “Ventolin” for inhalations is capable of instructions, the reviews of which are described below.
Description of the drug
"Ventolin" is an anti-asthma drug used in the treatment and prevention of various diseases of the lungs and bronchi, which lead to spasms of the smooth muscles of the bronchi. “Ventolin” for inhalation is a clear liquid, occasionally light yellow in color.
The active substance of the drug is salbutamol, which suppresses the reactivity of the bronchi and helps to prevent or eliminate the phenomenon of bronchospasm. The auxiliary components that make up the Ventolin preparation (for inhalation) are described by the manual as substances that contribute to the most convenient administration and uniform distribution of salbutamol in the patient's body.
Salbutamol with the introduction of the drug into the respiratory tract affects the smooth muscles of the bronchi, while ensuring their complete relaxation, reducing airway resistance, as well as increasing the amount of inhaled air. In addition, the active substance of the medicine “Ventolin” stimulates the secretion of bronchial glands, and also activates the work of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi, due to which mucus is excreted during coughing. In therapeutic doses, salbutamol - the active component of the Ventolin drug (for inhalation) - can cause a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate.
The decomposition products of salbutamol are excreted in the urine and partially with feces.
Product Release Form
The drug is available in the following forms:
- "Ventolin of Nebula." For inhalation a special device is used - a nebulizer. The solution is placed in opaque 2.5 ml capsules. The carton contains 10, 20, and 40 nebul.
- "Ventolin Evohaler." Aerosol can with a spray mouthpiece that contains 100 mcg / 200 doses. The carton contains 1 bottle.
Indications for use of the drug
As noted for the medicine “Ventolin” (for inhalation), the preparation is indicated:
- In bronchial asthma - to stop and prevent attacks, treat asthma during an exacerbation.
- With chronic bronchitis.
- In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with reversible obstruction.
- In acute chronic bronchitis.
Contraindications
With regard to contraindications to the use of the drug "Ventolin" (for inhalation), then they include increased sensitivity to one or more components of the drug. You should not take medicine for pregnant women with the threat of premature birth or miscarriage, as well as for children under 2 years of age.
In addition, with extreme caution, you should take the drug:
- with myocarditis;
- with coronary heart disease;
- with heart defects;
- with aortic stenosis;
- with tachyarrhythmia;
- with glaucoma;
- with aortic stenosis;
- with thyrotoxicosis;
- with diabetes in the stage of decompensation;
- with epilepsy;
- with hepatic and renal failure;
- with arterial hypertension;
- during pregnancy and lactation.
For Ventolin (for inhalation), the instruction allows in rare cases to use the product by pregnant and lactating mothers. At the same time, the expected effect on women's health should significantly exceed the risk of developing pathologies in the child or fetus. This warning is due to the fact that in a series of studies, cases of negative effects on the fetus were noticed, as a result of which pathologies in the form of a “cleft palate” and congenital deformities of the extremities were identified. Although, on the other hand, a causal relationship between medication and fetal pathologies could not be established, since the test mothers took other medications. There is also no data on the effect on the newborn baby of salbutamol, which is the active substance of the “Ventolin” medication for inhalation. Reviews of doctors therefore exclude the use of the drug by lactating and pregnant women.
Side effects
Side effects from taking the medicine “Ventolin” can be divided into frequent, infrequent, rare and very rare. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, tachycardia, and skeletal muscle tremors. Infrequent muscle spasm, palpitations, irritation of the pharynx and oral mucosa occur. In rare cases, hypokalemia and the expansion of peripheral blood vessels are manifested. Very rarely, as shown by Ventolin (for inhalation) reviews of doctors and patients, arrhythmia, hyperactivity, extrasystole, lactic acidosis, superventricular tachycardia, as well as some allergic reactions such as collapse or decreased blood pressure, urticaria, edema or bronchospasm can be observed .
Instructions for use of the drug
1. "Ventolin": nebulas for inhalation.
The instruction for the drug describes the use of a nebul using a special device - a nebulizer. A solution for inhalation must be prepared by supplementing it with sterile physiological saline (total volume is 2-2.5 ml). Through the nebulizer, the patient inhales the resulting solution until the aerosol formation is completely stopped. On average, one inhalation procedure takes about 10 minutes.
Sometimes, in order to accelerate the effect, it is allowed to use an undiluted solution of the drug “Ventolin” (for inhalation), the dosage of which is prescribed by the doctor. In this case, the inhalation procedure lasts no more than 5 minutes.
It is very important to carry out the procedure in a well-ventilated area and under the direct supervision of a doctor.
2. Aerosol.
Using the “Ventolin” aerosol for the first time, or if the agent has not been used for some time, remove the safety cap from the balloon while squeezing its edges on the sides. Before use, shake the bottle well and press the valve to make sure that the aerosol mechanism is working.
After installing the mouthpiece, the inhaler should be shaken again and the container should be positioned so that its bottom is directed upwards, hold the inhaler with the index finger in the bottom area, and the thumb should be placed on the base and under the mouthpiece.
Before using the drug directly, the patient should exhale slowly and deeply and grasp the end of the mouthpiece with his lips. Next, you need to press the bottom of the inhaler with your index finger and at the same time deeply inhale through the mouth. After taking one dose of the medicine, you need to hold your breath for a few seconds and then slowly exhale. The next dose is taken after half a minute. The mouthpiece is then closed with a cap.
With the introduction of the drug "Ventolin" (for inhalation), the patient should in no case be in a hurry. Using an aerosol for the first time, you can practice standing in front of a mirror. If traces of escaping aerosol are noticeable at the top of the inhaler or in the area of the corners of the mouth during administration, the procedure for administering the drug should be started again.
The mouthpiece must be cleaned once a week, while:
- Before rinsing the mouthpiece with running warm water, you need to remove the cylinder from the plastic case and remove the cap;
- Wash the mouthpiece and body under running water without overheating them;
- after all the parts have dried, insert the cylinder back into the body and close the mouthpiece cover;
- The cylinder must not be immersed in water.
Drug dosage
1. Solution for inhalation.
The drug "Ventolin" (nebulis for inhalation), the instruction allows you to take in diluted and undiluted form. The method of administration and dosage are determined by the attending physician depending on the age and health status of the patient.
For children over 12 years old and adults, the drug is prescribed:
- In diluted form. 0.5-1.0 ml of "Ventolin" mix with saline. The total volume should be 2.0-2.5 ml. Next, the resulting solution must be placed in a nebulizer and inhaled until the aerosol formation ceases.
- In pure form. 2.0 ml of the drug is placed in a nebulizer and inhaled. On average, the procedure takes no more than 5 minutes.
Children from 2 to 12 years of age are prescribed the drug in a diluted form. 0.5 ml of Ventolin medicine (solution for inhalation) is diluted with physiological saline, so that the total volume is 2.0-2.5 ml. The inhalation procedure is carried out using a nebulizer. Sometimes, as prescribed by a doctor, in severe cases, the dose of the drug can be increased to 1.0 ml.
The number of procedures is prescribed by a doctor. Repeated inhalation is carried out after 20 minutes, but no more than 4 times a day.
2. Aerosol.
Children over 12 years old and adults:
- 100-200 mcg (1-2 injections) - with acute attacks of bronchospasm.
- 200 mcg (2 injections) - prevention of acute attacks of bronchospasm when exposed to an allergen or physical exertion.
- 200 mcg (2 injections) - as a maintenance therapy, which is prescribed for a long time.
Children from 2 to 12 years old:
- 100 mcg (1 injection) - with acute attacks of bronchospasm.
- 100 mcg (1 injection) - for the prevention of bronchospasm attacks, 15 minutes before exposure to the body of a provoking factor.
- 100 mcg (1 injection) - as a maintenance therapy for a long time. Take no more than 4 times a day.
The drug "Ventolin": inhalation for children
The drug can be prescribed for the prevention and treatment of bronchospasm for children from 2 years of age. In rare cases, the drug is prescribed for children from 18 months. Even less often, the drug is used at an earlier age, since there is no data on the effect of “Ventolin” on the body of children under 18 months of age.
As the “Ventolin” preparation (nebulas for inhalation) shows, reviews, most often it is prescribed for a short period of time, taking into account the severity of the disease, the age of the child, concomitant diseases, and the use of other drugs.
If it is not possible to use an aerosol or to increase the effectiveness of the drug, the introduction of salbutamol can be recommended using a nebulizer. The dosage, nature and frequency of administration of salbutamol is prescribed by the attending physician for each child individually.
Interaction with other drugs
At the same time, "Ventolin" and non-selective beta-blockers cannot be taken. "Ventolin" is able to enhance tachycardia with thyrotoxicosis. It can also enhance the effects of drugs that stimulate the central nervous system. While taking cardiac glycosides, the drug increases the likelihood of arrhythmia. The likelihood of tachyarrhythmias increases while taking "Ventolin" and "Theophylline". After joint use of "Ventolin" and anticholinergics, an increase in intraocular pressure is possible. During pregnancy, the drug should be used with great care, since hyperglycemia and tachycardia in the fetus and mother can occur. Reception can also cause a decrease in blood pressure, weak labor and even pulmonary edema.
Analogues of the medicine "Ventolin"
Inhalations for children and adults can be carried out with the help of other drugs, the active substance of which is also salbutamol. Among the most common analogues can be distinguished:
- Salbutamol
- Astalin
- Salmo
- Aloprol;
- Salbuvent
- Salgim
- Sterineb Salamol;
- Salamol
- Saltos and others.
Drug price
The price of a medicine depends on the city and pharmacy where it is purchased. On average, for the preparation "Ventolin" (nebulas for inhalation) 2.5 ml / 2.5 mg in an amount of 20 pieces will need to pay from 270 to 300 p. For 140-160 p. you can buy "Ventolin Evohaler" 100 mcg in the form of an aerosol can with a mouthpiece.
Storage conditions
The medicine should be stored in its original packaging at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees in a place protected from direct sunlight. The product can not be frozen. Shelf life is 2 years. After opening the aluminum foil, store the nebula for no longer than three months. A solution in a nebulizer that has not been fully used cannot be stored.
Drug Reviews
It is very important to understand that in order to obtain a positive effect, you should carefully study the instructions for the preparation "Ventolin" (for inhalation), how to dilute the drug and in what quantity.
In general, reviews about the drug are positive, many patients note its good tolerance and sufficient effectiveness in the treatment of bronchospasm. Very rarely, some side effects occur, such as headache and dizziness, tachycardia or skeletal muscle tremors. To minimize them, you should pay special attention to the question of how to do inhalation with “Ventolin”.